10 Best Carpenter Ant Baits 2025 in the United States

The TERRO T300B Indoor Liquid Ant Killer is a widely popular choice for addressing ant infestations inside the home. It uses Borax as the active ingredient, which is effective in eliminating ants by allowing them to carry the bait back to their colony. This approach ensures that even hidden ants are targeted and eradicated. The formulation is a liquid, which is generally more attractive to ants, especially sweet-eating varieties like acrobat, crazy, ghost, and little black ants.

Users have reported a noticeable reduction in ant activity within days, which speaks to its fast-acting nature and effectiveness duration. The product comes with 12 bait stations which are easy to place around the house in areas such as baseboards, corners, and counters without any complicated setup, making it user-friendly. Safety is a consideration, especially in homes with pets and children, as Borax, while effective, requires careful placement to avoid accidental ingestion.

One potential drawback is that it is specifically designed for sweet-eating ants, so it may not be as effective for other types of ants. Additionally, since it is an indoor solution, it doesn't address outdoor ant issues. The small size and lightweight nature of the bait stations make them convenient to use and store. This product is best suited for individuals dealing with common household ants indoors who are looking for an easy-to-use and effective solution.

The TERRO T1813B Outdoor Ready-to-Use Liquid Ant Bait Stake Killer Trap is designed to attract and eliminate a variety of common household ants, including acrobat, crazy, ghost, little black, odorous house, and pavement ants. Its active ingredient works effectively by allowing worker ants to carry the bait back to their colony, thus killing the ants you see and the ones you don't. This feature ensures a comprehensive approach to ant control by targeting the entire colony.

Users should note that the bait is specifically formulated for outdoor use, making it ideal for placing in areas where ants are commonly seen before they invade your home. The product comes with 12 stakes, making it a convenient option for larger properties or multiple treatment areas. The stakes are easy to use: simply insert them into the ground and cut the tab to activate. This straightforward setup makes the product user-friendly even for those without much experience in pest control.

While the product claims to work fast with noticeable reduction in ant activity within a few days, the effectiveness duration can vary depending on the size of the ant infestation. An important consideration is safety; the bait is housed in plastic stakes, which helps to limit exposure to pets and children. However, users should still place the stakes in areas where they are less likely to be disturbed by non-target animals or people. A potential drawback is that the product is not electric, so it relies solely on the attractiveness of the bait and the ants' natural behavior to be effective. Lastly, the compact size and lightweight design make it easy to distribute the stakes around your property without much hassle. The TERRO T1813B offers a practical and effective solution for outdoor ant control, especially suitable for users looking for a ready-to-use, non-electric option.

The BASF Advance 375A Granular Ant Bait is designed to target a wide variety of ants, including carpenter ants, making it a versatile choice if you’re dealing with multiple ant species around your home or lawn. It uses a low concentration (0.011%) of abamectin as the active ingredient, which works slowly to let ants carry the bait back to their colony, effectively spreading the treatment and killing more ants over time. The granular form comes in different grit sizes, helping many kinds of ants pick it up easily.

This product can be used both indoors and outdoors, offering flexible application options—you can apply it in bait stations, around the perimeter of your house, or directly on ant mounds. This makes it practical for treating ants in various settings such as homes, hotels, or lawns. Since it is toxic to humans, pets, fish, and wildlife, it is important to follow the label instructions carefully to stay safe.

Ease of use is good due to its ready-to-use format and multiple ways to apply it, though caution is necessary to avoid unintended exposure. If you need a strong, ready-to-use bait that targets many ant species including carpenter ants, this product provides a reliable solution. Be mindful of safety precautions when using it around children, pets, or wildlife.